"I asked two players to take the first kick before deciding on Vlaar because I thought Vlaar was the best player on the field and I thought he had a great deal of confidence," Van Gaal told reporters.

... when push comes to shove it is not easy to score a penalty kick. Everybody knows that.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal

"But it goes to show, when push comes to shove it is not easy to score a penalty kick. Everybody knows that."

Van Gaal did not name the other player he had asked to take the first kick, a task handed in the quarter-final win over Costa Rica to striker Robin van Persie who was substituted in extra time against Argentina.

Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt scored their penalties but midfielder Wesley Sneijder also missed while the Argentines converted four out of four to reach Monday's (AEST) final against Germany.

The Dutch have now lost two out of three penalty shootouts at World Cups as well as three out of four in European Championships.